Additional heating assistance issued

WASHINGTON, DC — More than $14,000,000 in increased federal funding that will assist low-income New Yorkers in paying for heating costs has been released. The funds are from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) emergency contingency fund.

“Between record-setting oil prices and the sky rocketing costs of everyday goods, it was absolutely critical for this added federal aid for home heating,” said Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY).

The Consolidated Appropriations bill for FY2008 contained $2.57 billion in funding for LIHEAP, including $590 million in contingency funds to be released at the president’s discretion. Last week, the administration released about $40 million in LIHEAP emergency contingency funds. On January 16, they released $450 million. Hinchey has supported the full and immediate release of the contingency LIHEAP funds.

Home heating prices are projected by the Energy Information Administration to reach almost $1,000 this year for the typical family, a figure almost 80 percent higher than the average cost of home heating during the winter of 2001-02.

Local farms get watershed

protection funds

ALBANY, NY — New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker has announced $13 million for 46 projects that will help farmers protect New York’s lakes, streams and rivers from agricultural runoff. The assistance is awarded through the New York State Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program (ANSCAP). Sullivan County has received $33,550 for Better Management Plans on four farms in the Callicoon Creek Watershed, which will include rotational grazing and heavy-use-area protection to reduce nutrients, pesticides and coliforms from entering the watershed.

Sager to hold town hall meetings

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Sullivan County District One Legislator David Sager announced today he will begin holding town hall meetings in each of the towns within his district, on a rotating basis. He will start with a meeting at the Town of Bethel Town Hall at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 28.

Every town hall meeting will be conducted one-half hour prior to the town board meeting. Meetings have been scheduled to rotate so that Sager will be in a different town within the district each month, but will still be meeting in each town at least three times a year.

“I honestly believe that the best way for constituents to be heard is to be available in the communities, in an open environment where they can come and voice their opinions and ask questions about ongoing or upcoming initiatives or legislation,” said Sager.

Subsequent meetings will be at the Town of Cochecton hall at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12; the Town of Delaware hall at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16; and the Town of Tusten hall on Monday, May 12, at 6:30 p.m.

Body of adult home resident found in front yard

ROSCOE, NY — The body of Ella Maye, a 78-year-old resident of the Roscoe Manor Adult Home, was found in the front yard of a residence just north of Roscoe on Saturday, February 27. According to the autopsy she died of a heart attack.

Maye had hypertension, cardiopulmonary disease and dementia. She had wandered away from the nursing home during the night.

The incident was one of several involving residents of the adult home that have occurred over the past year or so. Last February, another resident who had wandered from the home died of exposure to the cold. On February 3 of this year, a female resident of the home was hit by a car when walking along the road at 6:00 a.m. wearing dark clothes, but was not seriously injured.

Residents must file tax returns to receive stimulus checks

WASHINGTON, DC — On February 13, President Bush signed a stimulus package designed to put money into the pockets of many American taxpayers. The rebates are based on the information reported on the taxpayer’s 2007 return. If a return is not filed, the taxpayer will not receive a check even if he or she may otherwise qualify.

Many of the taxpayers who fall into this category are not required to file because of low income. If a return is filed for these taxpayers, the IRS will send them a rebate check provided their qualified income is at least $3,000. The IRS has indicated that they will begin mailing the rebate checks in late spring and continue through the summer.

Most taxpayers will receive two notices from the IRS. The first general notice from the IRS will explain the stimulus payment program. The second notice will confirm the recipients’ eligibility, the payment amount and the approximate timetable for the payment. Taxpayers will need to save this notice to assist them when they prepare their 2008 tax return next year.

For more information visit www.natptax.com .

Sheriffs search for arson suspect

FORESTBURGH, NY — Following a fire that burned a camper to the ground and severely damaged a mobile home, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a suspect who may have been responsible and who was seen by a witness near the scene of the fire on Route 42.

The witness said he approached a man whom he saw standing near the property in question and offered to help put out the fire, but that his help was refused. He described the suspect as being a white male in his late 40s, about 5 feet, ll inches tall and wearing a knitted winter hat, a black jacket with yellow lettering and jeans tucked into combat boots.